Notes from the Director
It was three years ago that I became the Director of College Scholars. My predecessor, Dr. Chris Craig, told me that I now had the best job in all of higher education. Although I was looking forward to working with the Scholars, I didn’t really believe the superlative. I now know that he spoke the truth. No one else has the joy of working with such talented, motivated and creative students.
Now forty years old, College Scholars is the premier undergraduate honors program at the University of Tennessee. I regularly say that College Scholars are the most interesting students at UT. Each year, Scholars do amazing things both in and out of the classroom. This academic year has seen three outstanding theatrical productions by seniors Brock Ward, Ethan Roeder and Kolt Free, a photography exhibition by senior Sarah O’Leary and an insightful series of columns on homelessness in Knoxville in the Daily Beacon by senior R. J. Vogt. Two seniors, David Morse and Kenna Rewcastle, are finalists for a Fulbright Fellowship. Two juniors, Summer Awad and Alana Stein, have been nominated for the Truman Scholarship. And we still have several months left in the year.
Along with the new Alumni Advisory Board we are developing a strategic plan to ensure that College Scholars maintains its excellence. A key part of that plan is to strengthen our connection to alumni. In this internet age we are working to build our presence on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn. You can find a link to our Facebook page on the College Scholars website, scholars.utk.edu. It currently has 163 “likes”. We post photos and news of the program regularly. You can also join our closed LinkedIn group that includes about 160 alumni and current students. Send us an e-mail to receive an invitation. There are plans to develop a searchable on-line alumni directory. Other parts of the plan include raising the profile of College Scholars, both on and off campus, building a stronger community among the current students, and, of course, fund raising.
I have been trying to send out news of the program more frequently by e-mail. If you have not provided us with your e-mail address, please send it to scholars@utk.edu so we can add you to the distribution list.